WOMEN'S HOOPS DROPS 57-49 DECISION TO UMASS DARTMOUTH

NORTH DARTMOUTH, MA-The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth's women's basketball team defeated visiting UMass Boston, 57-49, in the first game of a Little East Conference doubleheader at the Tripp Athletic Center Tuesday evening

The Corsairs grew a 29-19 halftime lead into a 20 point cushion and held off a late rally by the Beacons to notch their fourth win of the season and first in conference play.

UMass Boston closed to within 29-25 in the opening minutes of the second half but some stifling man to man defense and torrid shooting blew the game wide open. Freshman guard Megan Sheehan (Carver, MA/Carver) ignited the run with back to back three pointers, freshman forward Erika Bornemann (Canton, MA/Canton) hit back to back layups and another Sheehan three from the corner made it 46-29 in under a six minute span. Junior guard Stephanie Houtman (New Bedford, MA/New Bedford/Bridgewater State) hit a jumper in the lane and senior guard Tashauna Ashmeade (Hyannis, MA/Barnstable) nailed a three from the wing, giving the Corsairs their largest lead of the contest at 53-33 with just over five minutes to play.

The Beacons mounted their comeback fueled by a layup and two free throws from sophomore forward Elizabeth Dow (Marshfield, MA/Marshfield), a three pointer and layup by freshman guard Kendra Mosley (Indian Head, MD/Henry E. Lackey), a three pointer from freshman forward Sarah McAdams (Portland, OR/Grant) and layups by junior forward Molly Rattigan (Dorchester, MA/Fontbonne Academy) and sophomore guard Elisa Ogawa (Yamanashi, Japan/Boston Community Leadership Academy), pulling the Beacons to 53-49 with just 37 seconds to play.

UMass Boston would take their chances by putting the Corsairs on the free throw line but UMass Dartmouth answered hitting all four of their opportunities down the stretch to hold on for the victory.

"UMass Boston made their comeback due to rebounding and second chance points. They are a good team but we responded to the challenge," said UMass Dartmouth Head Coach Amanda Van Voorhis. "We looked great against the zone, we moved the ball well and we were ready. Our starters logged a lot of minutes and we made some mistakes down the stretch but we are pleased with the win."

The Corsairs starters played all but eleven minutes while of four them reached double digits in points. Houtman led the way with 16 points, Sheehan had 15 points, all from behind the arc and Bornemann chipped in with 14 points. Ashmeade notched a double-double with 10 points and 15 rebounds and freshman guard Keneisha Debnam (Dorchester, MA/Minuteman Regional) also had a big night in the rebounding department pulling down 15. The Beacons were led by Mosley's game-high eighteen points and Ogawa joined her in double figures with 12 points. Rattigan led the way on the boards with 13.

UMass Dartmouth out-rebounded the Beacons, 57-41 and held UMass Boston to just 27.5% shooting from the field.

The Corsairs improved to 4-12 and 1-5 in the Little East Conference with the win, while the Beacons fell to 11-5 and 2-4 in LEC play with the loss. UMass Dartmouth will return to action when they host Plymouth State in the first game of a Little East Conference doubleheader Saturday. UMass Boston will host Keene State Saturday.